Philadelphia Life and Style Blog with Authentic Inspiration, Achievable Style and Beauty, and Affordable Lifestyle for Ambitious Millennial Women

December 12, 2014

Gift Guide for your Super Manly Man (as told by Boyfriend)

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**Happy Friday, ladies and gents! The boyf’s back is feeling much better, and he’s all set to get an MRI this week. Thank you all – from both of us – for your amazingly sweet wishes and reactions to that post. We appreciate it tenfold. Now, to prove he’s back in the Christmas spirit, J is taking over the blog and answering one of the hardest questions for us ladies around this time of year: What do I get my man??? What do I get my dad/brother/uncle/best guy friend??? No worries – he’s got ya covered. Take it away, love!

Alright. I haven’t written a post since my Charlotte experience. Maybe it’s because my left eye hasn’t completely healed since it was “frozen” to perfection. But I digress.

Jellybean asked me last week to write a top ten list to help you find that perfect gift for that guy in your life. As I scoured the internet for such gifts I was amazed at how many cool practical, affordable and awesome gift ideas you could use for Christmas or another occasion. But why stop there? I also found non-practical, non-affordable and super awesome gift ideas just in case you opened a new credit card for the holiday season.

If I’m going to go through the process of creating a list, then I must have rules:

The list must go from ten down to one to build hype.

There has to be a rating system, otherwise how would I justify rule numero uno? This rating system will be scored in terms of practicality, affordability, and awesomeness – each category can get anywhere between 1 star = ehh to 5 stars = “yeahhh buddy” status. Practical means can you use it daily and would it be a more efficient substitution for a current product. Affordable means under $50. Awesomeness is my interpretation. And ties are broken arbitrarily.

The list must sidestep when convenient to add humor a.k.a. the non-practical, non-affordable and super awesome gifts.

Just to let you know, I’ve come across more than 40 options to include on this list. It starts out with really practical gifts and concludes with OMG gifts. Enjoy.

Summary: Think date night for you and your guy. Who doesn’t love to eat good Philly food? It’s gotten some good reviews (15 reviews at 4.5/5 stars) and has the number one ranking according to Philly Magazine for tours. It may be a bit pricey for something you can do on your own, but I think it’s neat because you’re experiencing several samples and spending some quality time with your beau (is it beau or boo?)

Practicality: *** Affordability: ** Awesomeness: ***

OVERALL SCORE: 8/15

Stayclip Brushed Stainless Steel Collar Stays – 8 Pairs

Price: $25 (plus free shipping)

Summary: It’s not the gift that gets your guy excited, but it’s extremely practical and relatively affordable if your guy doesn’t lose them. Ask Jellybean where my stays are and she will say in a pile in my closet. Most shirts come with plastic stays, but these metal ones are clutch since they don’t lose their stability long-term AND it keeps your collar perfect. PLUS, you can engrave these suckers. 8 pairs is more than enough.

Summary: It’s a “21st Century Wallet” that is lightweight and dust, dirt and moisture proof; keeps your cards safe from RFID scanners; has separate compartments for cards and cash; and comes in five colors. AND it can hold change. I’m not sure about the bulkiness of the product and how that would affect the buttocks, but it’s neat!

No joke. This is a smart wallet. This sleek black cash carrier, made from Italian Sarriano leather, hides a micro USB cable to charge your phone on the go.

The men’s is $120ish and the women’s is $200ish.

But it’s certified Boyfriend AWESOME.

Monogrammed Growler & Pint Glass Set

Price: $64.95 (plus free shipping)

Summary: Every man needs his own initialed growler and pint glass set. No clue what a growler is? Your guy would take his growler into his favorite bar and be able to carry that “I can’t find this anywhere else” craft beer out of the establishment. I think it holds up to five pints or something. It’s worth the investment. Your guy will wonder how you know what a growler is… just say it’s the sound he makes when he wants his special craft beer and that you googled it and it came up. You’re welcome.

Summary: Whoa. You want to be the best girlfriend of the year? Get your guy an XBOX One bundle including this game for a whopping $330 at Walmart – sold out! But that’s counterproductive – your guy will be spending less time with you. So instead, tease him and get him Sunset Overdrive. It’s hard to explain how awesome this game is. Check out this video review for yourself. I guarantee you’d want to zone out for a bit too.

Summary: I have friends who have friends who waste more than $20 on a bottle of wine for most dinners. It’s not really necessary unless you are a wine connoisseur. So for us peeps that enjoy our boxed wine, add this gift to enhance the classiness of your night. It’s simple to use: put it over your wine glass and allow the aerator to enhance the flavor of your fine. For the cost and consistent use, this gift is certified Boyfriend AWESOME.

Summary: If there’s one thing I dislike, it’s ice cubes that melt into my drink. And tap water ice cubes at best… because you’re just as guilty if you think you use filtered water. These neat glasses are intended as wine glasses, but I’m thinking cold beverages. Include your guy’s favorite six-pack and you’re one heck of a gal. It comes with two glasses and is certified Boyfriend AWESOME!

Summary: I know what you’re thinking… a cologne for that cheap? It must be a scam. FALSE. I’ve bought two of these from the link I’ve provided and loved them both. Classy cologne for any event. Kenneth Cole ships it and it costs 64% cheaper than if you lugged yourself to the mall. It should last a year for even the most ambitious sprayer.

Summary: Finally the Tile app has come to life following a good year on Kickstarter. These neat and practical and certified Boyfriend AWESOME gift allows your guy to remember where he put his keys, his phone, or heck, even his deodorant if he feels fancy enough. I still kind of dig the idea of throwing these in your future child’s bookbag, letting he or she roam as you shop, and then allowing crowdsourcing to find him AFTER you’re finished at the store. Success.

Summary: Get ready to score some major points with your guy. Even guys who can’t grow enough hair would love this gift. This gift is super classy, super cheap, and you can even engrave your guy’s name ON THE BOX (for an additional $15). Harry’s is a super reputable company too. This is the ultimate man gift for Christmas 2014.

Practicality: * **** Affordability: ***** Awesomeness: *****

OVERALL SCORE: 15/15

So that wraps up this year’s list… whoa, what? I forgot rule number three? Oh, yeah. Check out these bonus non-practical (all the time), non-affordable (for the usage rate), but super awesome gift ideas.

Summary: … yes, you read that correctly. It’s so awesome just on the laughs alone. Then the picture when you click on the link makes you laugh even more. Seriously? It comes in both men and women sizes and contains the nasty smell if your person had some wicked Mexican.

Summary: This is my number one gift idea to get for yourself, ladies. It “brings all the boys to the yard” according to its advertisement. Seriously though, you can make your own ice cream in 3 minutes.

ULTIMATE BONUS: An Acre of Land on Mars

Price: $39.99

Summary: You may think men are from Mars, so why not add this to next year’s list pending your guy’s gifts to you? You’d confuse him so much and subtly let him know he clearly doesn’t get you.

Special thanks to my one and only for telling us what guys really want for Christmas. While I can’t say what J is getting under the tree this year, I can say that it’s all good – and some may or may not be from this list! What are you getting your guy this year? What do you think of J’s picks?

Now you’ve seen Christmas shopping from the bargain hunter and the dude’s perspectives; stay tuned for the third and final gift guide on Coming Up Roses – Gifts that Give BACK!

CURRENTLY CRAVING

IN MY MAKEUP BAG

Coming up Roses partners with several affiliate programs, meaning commission can be earned on sales of purchases by those who visit this site and on any Coming up Roses social media platforms. All products submitted to Coming Up Roses are subject to review and will be noted with a "c/o" (courtesy of) next to the credit upon its first placement, if featured. All views expressed on Coming Up Roses are Erica's alone, and she *ONLY* promotes products that she truly loveloveloves.

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